In a
December 17th 2007 article titled, Rick
Warren Counsels Jews on Recruiting Congregants, the Christian
Post reported that the beloved senior pastor and founder of Saddleback
Church in Lake Forest California, a Southern Baptist congregation, "attended
a large Reform Jewish gathering last week to share tips on how to build
a community."

So,
instead of sharing Christ with his Jewish audience, Pastor Warren shared
"tips on how to build a community?"

The
article went on to say this about Warren's visit:

The "Purpose-Driven"
pastor spoke to thousands of Jewish leaders Thursday night at the Union
for Reform Judaism's biennial convention in San Diego.

With
the holiday season in mind, Warren urged clergy to take advantage of
crowded events to publicize other programs so people can get involved
in the community through smaller groups.

OK -
I'm confused - We have a Christian pastor addressing a Jewish audience
- so which holiday are they talking about here - or does it even
matter?

"There
are some principles that apply regardless of our faith, if it's Jewish
or Christian," he [Warren] said at the convention.

One
of his principles: "Just be nice to people. Smile."

This
is Pastor Rick's message to Jewish leaders - smile and be nice? They needed
Warren to come and tell them this? And how are these principles going
to gain anyone entry to the Kingdom of God - or is that even relevant?

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Is this
why Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross - so Christians could proudly share
their pragmatic principles with those who reject Him? Are we to conclude
from this report that community involvement is more important than eternal
life and the forgiveness of one's sins?

After
Warren spoke a few minutes at the podium, he sat alongside two popular
Southern California rabbis for a casual talk about strengthening congregational
life.

What?

Jesus
Christ rose from the dead and this "Christian" pastor talks casually
to rabbis about "strengthening congregational life" around the synagogue?
There is no life apart from Jesus Christ! That's why He called
the religious leaders of the day "whited sepulchers" that outwardly appeared
beautiful, but inwardly were "full of dead men's bones." (Matthew 23:27)

Why
is this double-minded man still pastoring a Southern Baptist church? What
does he have to do to get fired? And why do SBC pastors continue to teach
and promote his books, his programs, his sermons and his P.E.A.C.E.
Plan when apparently being Purpose Driven doesn't even require
faith in Christ?

If anyone
can be Purpose Driven, then who needs Jesus? Why not just be Purpose Driven
and leave it at that - no Christianity - no Christ - no Holy Spirit -
no New Testament - just Purpose Driven?

Lucifer
said "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars
of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides
of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be
like the most High." (Isaiah 14:13b-14)

Isn't
that being Purpose Driven?

Other
advice given by Warren included looking at everything from an outsider's
viewpoint, such as simplifying worship terms, making strangers feel
welcome, and encouraging interaction.

How
about encouraging interaction with the only begotten Son of God by worshipping
Him in Spirit and in Truth through repentance and faith? Was there any
mention of this at the gathering - or would that hamper recruiting efforts
down at the Temple?

"The congregation
that really loves people, you have to lock the doors to keep people
out," said Warren, whose Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., is
scheduled to host 14 Christmas services this year with an estimated
crowd of 45,000 people.

But
isn't Warren essentially locking Heaven's doors to those without Christ
by denying them the Gospel they so desperately need? How is this a demonstration
of love - or do Jews have no need of Jesus?

The
truth is, the Lord's harshest rebukes were always directed toward religious
leaders who postured themselves as righteous while keeping people out
of the Kingdom of God with their own self-serving agendas.

"But
woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom
of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer
ye them that are entering to go in." - Matthew 23:13

Unfortunately,
too many of today's pastors, both inside and outside the Southern Baptist
Convention have totally invested themselves and their churches into the
Purpose Driven paradigm. To speak up now and rebuke Warren publicly would
require they admit to their colleagues and congregations that they were
wrong about the man and his teachings. And with so much pride at stake
and so many careers and ministries in the balance, I dare say there aren't
many out there who would be willing to step forward to confess and repent.

My prayer
is that the Lord will bless some of them, even if only a few, with the
courage and faith to do so while there's still time.

"He
that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath
not life." - 1st John 5:12

Paul Proctor, a rural resident of the Volunteer
state and seasoned veteran of the country music industry, retired from
showbiz in the late 1990's to dedicate himself to addressing important
social issues from a distinctly biblical perspective. As a freelance writer
and regular columnist for NewsWithViews.com,
he extols the wisdom and truths of scripture through commentary and insight
on cultural trends and current events. His articles appear regularly on
a variety of news and opinion sites across the internet and in print.